CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1927, Page 2

CHINESE TROUBLE.

.[CY TELEGRAM —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] SITUATION AT HANKOW. LONDON. Feb. 15. .V mystery surrounds the present slate of negotiations at Hankow bct ween Mr O'Malley and Mr Chen. j The last despatch from Air O Alalley was received on Saturday. It indicates that Air Chen will sign on Monday. No word has since been received.

Well-informed people here regard it as most probable that news of a serious breakdown would have immediately been cabled.

NO OFFICIAL NEWS. LONDON. Feb. 10. The British Foreign Office at a Into hour last night was still without news from China. It tan neither confirm, nor deny the report of a rupture at Hankow, nor can it explain the absence of official news, hut whether this silence is due to some form of Chinese censorship, or whether the alleged breakdown has only been temporary, and been wrongly interpreted by the press agencies in China as a definite rupture, the official circles here find therein no cause for anxiety. H is pointed out that many temporary setbacks may be expected amidst the present chaotic conditions. CHEN'S FRESH OFFER PEKING. Fell. IG. Air O’Alalley staled that Mr Chen lias made a scries of statements, partly referring to Air Austen Chamberlain s recent sneech ; partly about ail agreement, and partly about assurance. The off eel of these statements was to create a now situation. Air O’Alnlley said that an agreement lias not been signed because lie thought that it- was necessary to put the fresh situation before Sir Austen Chamberlain. in order to enable the latter to decide what should be done about an agreement. Afeamvhile. Air O'Alallcy will remain at Hankow, and will await further instructions. POftTMASTEB-GKNER A I/S ATF.AA'S. I LONDON. Feb. ]fi. The Postmaster-General, Sir Win. Alitchell-Tlionison Bart., speaking at Croydon., said : "Certain of the Socialist leaders are reported to have said that if Britain became involved in a Chinese war. they would do their best to movent llritish troops from being assembled. If they do that they will end up—and very properly too—against the wall with a tiring party in front of them! Tt is just as well they know that right from the start.’’ MORE FORCES REACH SHANGHAI PEKING, Feb 16.

The British defences have been reinforced by two Punjabi battalions from India, which arrived at Shanghai overnight.

There arc now live battalions encamped in the International Settlement. CONTINENTAL PRESS. LONDON. Feb.' 15. A section of the Australian and German press it giving an anti-British colouring to the China news and is alleging that Australia and South Africa both disavow the English policy in China, while Canada refuses to allow British troops to cross her territory to proceed to China.